Kulnura Workshop Series

Workshop #1: 30th March 20129:00am to 4:00pm

Workshop #2: 4th May 20129:00am to 4:00pm

Location: Kulnura, Kulnura NSW 2250

Workshop 1

Local residents from the Kulnura region attended the Hotspots workshop series to discuss fire management in their area. During the first workshop landholders and agency representatives discussed fire ecology principles, local vegetation characteristics, local fire history, plant and animal responses to fire and the use of fire as a management tool for maintaining and improving native vegetation and reducing the risk of wildfire. Landholders travelled to two local sites which illustrated the diverse region and discussed fire ecology and management principles in practice, assessing fuel loads, bush fire risk and regional fire management planning.

Local agency representative including National Parks and Wildlife Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service discussed their fire management planning process before participants worked on their own map based fire management plans. On an A0 laminated map of their property, landholders identified their assets, different vegetation types, recorded fire history and identified actions planned for their property over the next 12 months and beyond.

Workshop 2

The second day of the training program was held in May and began with participants reviewing their property fire management plans and discussing their priority actions. Designed to increase landholder confidence in the practical use of fire as a tool for maintaining biodiversity and reducing the risk of wildfire, the second workshop gave participants first hand experience in the necessary preparatory work that goes into using fire on private property.

Prior to observing the demonstration controlled burn on Mark Griffiths property, participants discussed fire behaviour and participated in group exercises in assessing fuel loads, calculating Forest Fire Danger Index using the McArthur meter, and ran through a formal risk assessment process and the comprehensive burn plan.

While observing the demonstration burn commentary was provided linking the ecological objectives to the burn objectives and control lines, lighting patterns and fire behaviour were explained.

Evaluation Comments

What was the main benefit to you, from having attended this workshop?

Understanding vegetation and regrowth, fauna and planning fires in a mosaic pattern

An understanding and awareness of fire and the environment, and a higher respect for fauna and flora

Additional Comments:

Thank you for passion, dedication and expert knowledge and skills. Truly wonderful day

Nineteen landholders attended workshop day 1 and 16 attended workshop day 2 as well as agency representatives. As a result of the workshops and an additional half day workshop run by Brian Milsom a total of 20 map based property fire management plans were produced.

People Profile: Mark Griffith

Mark Griffith is the Senior Deputy Captain of the Kulnura Local Fire Brigade and the property owner of the site where the Workshop Day 1 and Day 2 were held. Mark manages his property as a conservation block, has extensive fire management experience and is a valuable member of the community. The property boasts a rich diversity of species including the vulnerable glossy black cockatoo and the vulnerable long nosed potoroo. The property is also important for a diverse range of nectar-dependent fauna and there are many hollows.

Hotspots was a great process to engage the local residents and change a wide range of perceptions about fire. There were a wide range of people from very different ends of the spectrum on fire management ranging from 'you should never burn as it is bad for the environment', to 'not knowing if I should or shouldn't burn' to 'I know what I am doing, why are people trying to stop me'. The workshop series changed the perception to 'yes burning can be right if done in the right way' and gave the tools and knowledge to do this correctly.